No confirmed cases of meningitis outbreak in Oyo – Commissioner

The Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan has dismissed the rumour of any outbreak of meningitis disease in the state.

Adeduntan, was reacting to some report in some of the national dailies on Friday said that there is an outbreak of meningitis in the state.

Although the Commissioner for Health confirmed that they have eight suspected cases already but noted that there is no laboratory test evidence to prove it is meningitis.

“The Ministry wished to affirm that four patients with symptoms of fever and neck stiffness were seen at Akinyele Local Government Area of the state. Two of there were seen at General Hospital, Moniya with another two in private health facilities.

“The patience from HAMDALA Hospital was subsequently referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan. To further strengthen this suspicion of meningitis, two of these cases had recently travelled to the northern part of the country where quite a number of cases had been confirmed” he said

Adeduntan, however said clinical diagnosis of samples were taken from two cases and laboratory investigation carried out revealed that no organisms in the cerebrospinal fluids of these patients.

He implored the general public to uphold the hygienic practices of regularly hand washing with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, using toilets, coughing or blowing the nose.

Adeduntan also urged them to avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, and ensure that any individual that is sick should visit the hospital immediately.

He urged the people of the state to disregard any media report of meningitis outbreak in the state, insisting that nothing of such case has been recorded